Tips: Restoring Wood Furniture After The Flood
Posted by Jim Sutter on Fri, Aug 20, 2010 @ 11:23 AM
After the flood...
Water, flooding and wooden furniture are sometimes a devastating
combination. Dependent upon the construction of the furniture, the finished used and the time and amount of water damage, the furniture restoration may or may not be successful. Water can cause swelling, which leads to loosened joints, finishes ruined, and in worst cases, warping, cracking or rotting.
Dependent upon the extent of the damage and the value of the piece, you may decide to have the furniture professionally restored. Value can be intrinsic or sentimental - but ultimately the value of your furniture is in the eye of the beholder - it’s up to you.
The goal with any restoration is to do the best to preserve the original finish. Especially when it comes to true antiques, even minor changes will reduce the value.
One of the most important factors in restoring water damaged furniture is the drying process. A slow process will help assure that the wood dries evenly and is less likely to result in warping, splitting or cracking. Drying improperly will be uneven and may cause the furniture to shrink. Only when the furniture has dried can you make the determination with regard to the extent of the damage and the extent of the repairs to the furniture that will be necessary. Never put wood furniture out in the sun to dry - the heat of the sun will cause uneven drying and can lighten and fade some wood stains. If in doubt, consult a furniture restoration specialist for the best method of drying your food damaged furniture.
The furniture restoration process may include replacing warped boards, straightening skewed joints, additional word work or carpentry to recreate missing or damaged trim. Special tools and clamps, and industry specific products are used in the process. Having an expert who understands what is available and who uses the right products is critical to your satisfaction with the restoration.
Moldy furniture frequently will exhibit white spots. Because mold can be an allergen and has been linked to health issues, it’s important to have this taken care of. Again, an expert will understand the situation and will use the appropriate products to correct the mold and prevent reoccurrence. Household remedies may initially look like the problem is cured, however when it comes to health related matters, it’s best to have something like mold taken care of by a professional furniture restoration specialist like JC Wood.